Religion--Special Events
Religion -- special events
St. Monica Fest: St. Monica Parish of Carpentersville will hold its annual St. Monica Fest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in the church parking lot, 90 N Kennedy Drive (Route 25) in Carpentersville. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, Polish sausage, Italian beef and some special treats such as snow cones and fruit. There will also be a selection of Hispanic cuisine including enchiladas, tostadas, and more. There will also be cold drinks, a petting zoo, games and music. Food and game tickets can be purchased at St. Monica Fest. For information, call the parish office at (847) 428-2646.
Give the gift of life: Join King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin on Sunday for an afternoon of fun, music and an opportunity to share the gift of life. There will be a LifeSource mobile unit on site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call the church at (847) 931-1520. Walk-ins are welcome. Music will be provided by The Runaways, performing music from the 1950s to early '70s from 1 to 3 p.m. There also will be a moonwalk for children. Light refreshments will be served. The church is at Hopps and Randall roads in Elgin. Visit www.kogonline.org.
Principal, teacher honored for 40th anniversary: Immanuel Lutheran School in East Dundee and its church community will celebrate the 40-year service anniversary of two of its school servants. Principal Ken Becker and first-grade teacher Muriel Niss will be honored at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the Christian Life Center, Route 72 and Van Buren. The principal jokes that he has long been masquerading as a teacher and principal, "For the past 40 years I have been acting as classroom teacher, assistant principal, youth director, and now principal just so I could coach basketball. My uncle took me to Concordia to watch their basketball games and stirred the call to coach with in my heart." He completed his degree at River Forest by student teaching at St. John's School in Elgin. His supervisory teacher was a former basketball player at River Forest and amplified his dream to coach. He soon realized his dream by coaching the junior varsity basketball team and on the side taught sixth grade at Immanuel Hillside. He served Hillside for 25 years both in the classroom and the courts. He taught fifth through eighth grade, served as principal, youth director, athletic director and basketball coach. Dennis Durham, who later became the athletic director of Immanuel in� East Dundee, student taught under Becker. Later when Durham was athletic director he invited Becker's basketball team to participate in the East Dundee school's varsity boys basketball tournament. It was at one of these tournaments that Dick Storm, a member of Immanuel's school board, approached Becker about coming to Immanuel as sixth-grade teacher, athletic director and varsity girls basketball coach. He accepted the Dundee proposal and began teaching and offering guidance to the youth in 1992. He spent the next 15 years serving the community by offering his leadership, knowledge, and basketball techniques. He continues to help with the tournaments. He also attends high basketball games in which Immanuel alumni participate. He has been a valuable member of the Immanuel family. Not only principal to a student body of over 250, he also serves as senior Bible study teacher, lay pastor, and visits the congregational members who are ill regularly. "He is a tremendous blessing to our Immanuel family, he leads our school in maintaining our educational edge, continues to support our athletic endeavors, and has grown Immanuel to offer a fantastic music program," stated the Rev. William Yonker, senior pastor. Immanuel's first-grade teacher, Muriel Niss, is also celebrating 40 years of teaching. Born in Austin, Minn., she was raised on a farm and attended a one-room country school. She attended Concordia in St. Paul and desired to continue in her studies to become a deaconess. There was such a demand for teachers that she felt redirected in her ministry work. She graduated from River Forest and began teaching at Immanuel in 1957. She began by teaching 50 children her first year at the school. She was creative and flexible enough to devise methods to teach the different levels of students while she was developing the resource center. For the last 29 years, she has taught first-graders and is responsible for creating a very strong reading program. An energetic woman, she also taught and later organized Sunday school, worked with the Outreach team, created fundraising events, and now has created a local community mission called Compassion in Action. The community is invited to join in congratulating them at the Celebration Brunch on Sunday at Immanuel's Christian Life Center. Bring a breakfast item to share at the brunch. Gifts are being accepted for Ken and Muriel and can be sent to the school office at 5 S. Van Buren St. in East Dundee, IL 60118 or brought to the celebration brunch. The school is now accepting applications for the 2007-08 school year. For information, call (847) 428-1010.
Outdoor service, pet blessing: Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 100 Hanson Road in Algonquin, will hold outdoor worship services at 5 p.m. Sept. 1 and 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sept. 2. There will be a blessing of the animals at this outdoor worship service focusing on God's gift of animals, the natural world, and our responsibilities as caretakers of God's creation. All pets are welcome in cages or on leashes, but no aggressive animals. Stuffed animals are also welcome. To learn more, call (847) 658-9250.
Bell ringers begin fall rehearsals: On Sept. 6, the adult handbell choirs at the First Congregational Church of Huntley will begin their new season of practices. Bell master Helen Marlowe invites anyone in the community, regardless of musical knowledge or lack of it, to become a part of a group that makes joyful music together. Practices are weekly and each choir plays once a month on a Sunday. Beginners are welcome to show up at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at the church, 11628 Main St. in downtown Huntley, for the beginning adult practice. Use a side door. For experienced ringers, the advanced adult handbell choir practices at 7 p.m. Bells and music are provided. For information, call (847) 669-3691.
First Presbyterian's outdoor worship, picnic: First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual outdoor worship and picnic at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at the Wing Park band shell, 1000 Wing St., Elgin. Folk artist Peg Lehman will once again participate in the worship service. All are welcome. Park bench seating and picnic tables are available for your use. You are encouraged to bring your table service, a dish to pass, lawn games and sports equipment. The Worship and Sacraments Committee will provide beverages and fried chicken. For details, call Ruth, office manager, at (847) 742-6365. Summer worship is at 9:30 a.m. Sundays at the church, 240 Standish St., Elgin. Parking is available in the back parking lot. It� is handicapped accessible. For details, visit� www.fpce.org.
Awana Cubbie program: Fox Valley Church, 37W073 Huntley Road in West Dundee, is currently enrolling 3- to 4-year-olds and pre-kindergarten 5-year-olds for its Awana Cubbie program. It is held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 11 and runs through the first Tuesday in May. Children will enjoy Bible time, crafts, songs, games and more. A book and vest will need to be purchased for $9 each, as well as $1 per week for dues. For details, call the church office (847) 844-1010 or stop by to fill out a registration form.
High Holy Days at Tikkun Olam: Jewish Reform Congregation Tikkun Olam is extending an invitation to unaffiliated Jews to attend the congregation's High Holy Day services this year. The services will be held at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock. Tickets are not required, although the congregation welcomes donations to help with their ongoing programs. High Holy Day services will be led by David Gilner of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and Jennifer Grubb will serve as cantor. Rosh Hashana services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, and 10 a.m. Sept. 13. A Kol Nidre service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Yom Kippur on Sept. 22 starts with the morning service at 10 a.m., adult discussion group at 3 p.m., and Yizkor and Concluding services at 4:30 p.m. A Havdalah service and pot luck break fast will immediately follow the Yizkor and Concluding Services. Tikkun Olam is McHenry County's only Reform congregation and welcomes interfaith families. They invite all unaffiliated Jews to make it your home for the holy days. For details, visit www.tikkun-olam.org. For information, call (815) 334-7110.
Rite of Christian Initiation: The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program at St. Mary Catholic Church of Elgin provides an opportunity for adults to learn more about the Catholic faith. Many in the program, through prayer and discernment, choose to become a fully initiated member of the Roman Catholic Church at Easter. St. Mary's RCIA program begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 in the upper level of St. Mary's parish office, 397 Fulton St, Elgin. The classes continue each Sunday morning through next Easter, with time off for holidays. Textbooks are provided and there is no fee to attend the classes. If you would like to learn more about the Catholic faith, you are invited to attend the introductory meeting on Sept. 16. To register or for details, call (847) 888-2718 or e-mail deaconhank@stmaryelgin.com.
Quilters Fall Fest: First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin, will host a Quilters Fall Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29. Hand-quilted spreads, runners, and baby quilts will be for sale. All quilt items are made by the Methodists Quilters. Admission is free. For details, call (847) 741-0038.
Heart Beat: "Heart Beat," a charitable, luncheon, concert and festival of tables, will take place at 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 525 Church Road in Elgin. Attended by over 400 people, this event will feature a performance by award-winning Christian recording artist Mark Harris. Guest speaker, Constantine Mavroudis, head of Children's Memorial cardiac surgery and founder of the Hellenic Heart Program, will discuss his many achievements and success stories. Raffle prizes include a $1,000.00 gift certificate to Woodfield Mall plus many other valuable prizes. Proceeds to benefit Children's Memorial Hospital Cardiac Surgery, Hellenic Heart Program, in partnership with The Philoptochos Society of St. Sophia. Event hosted by The Philoptochos Society of St. Sophia, an organization dedicated to philanthropy on a local and national level. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For tickets or details, visit www.heartbeatevents.org or call (847) 62-HEART (43278). This is by reservation only.